South Korean directors Hong Won-Chan and Lee Woo-Jung are very excited now that Filipinos can also watch their movies at the 2022 Korean Film Festival, organized by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines and SM Cinemas.
Hong Won-Chan is the director of the action movie Deliver Us From Evil, which stars Hwang Jung Min, one of South Korea's highest-grossing actors, and Lee Jung Jae, who is popularly known for his portrayal in the hit Netflix series, Squid Game.
Lee Woo-Jung, on the other hand, is the director of the coming-of-age movie Snowball, which stars former Girl's Day member Bang Min Ah.
Both directors were present during the opening ceremony of the festival held at the SM Aura Premier in Taguig City on Wednesday, August 10, 2022.
During the event, Won-Chan and Woo-Jung expressed how excited they are now that they'd also get to see their movies in an actual cinema.
With the help of a translator, Won-Chan said during the press briefing, "Actually, after ma-release yung movie na ito for two years, dahil sa pandemic, this is my first time na sumali sa mga Korean festivals so marami pong salamat.
"Sobrang masaya po ako ngayon."
Woo-Jung is also excited to interact with the moviegoers who'll be watching her film.
She said, through the translator, "Sobrang excited ako kasi before, due to the pandemic, hindi ko na-meet yung audience.
"Pero ngayon, in person talaga, makikita ko yung reaction talaga after the movie."
WORKING WITH LEE JUNG JAE AND BANG MIN AH
Of course, members of the press asked the two directors about their working experience with Squid Game actor Lee Jung Jae and Girl's Day member Bang Min Ah in their respective movies since both personalities are well-known among Pinoy fans.
Won-Chan actually filmed his movie Deliver Us From Evil with Jung Jae even before Squid Game became a mega-hit. In fact, they actually stayed in Bangkok, Thailand where the movie was set for about three months in 2019.
The movie director assured the actor's fans that they'll definitely see a different side of him in his movie.
He said, "Lee Jung Jae is very popular in Korea even before Squid Game was released. But now, he has become more popular after the series was shown around the world.
"But if you will watch the movie, you'll see his tough character which you haven't seen him do in Squid Game."
Meanwhile, Woo-Jung praised Min Ah's professionalism while on the set of Snowball.
She said, "She's [Min Ah] very punctual as an actress, and I felt that it was because of her training as an idol group member. So we had a pleasant experience working with her."
OPEN TO POSSIBLE COLLABORATIONS
And since they are in the Philippines, are they open to collaborations with Filipino filmmakers, actors, and actresses?
Won-Chan admitted that he hasn't seen any Filipino movies yet, but he's very much open to working with Filipino talents if the opportunity arises.
He said, "Actually, this is my first visit to the Philippines and right now, I haven't watched any Filipino movies.
"But we are so open if there's a great opportunity that comes our way."
The director later added, "When we filmed the movie in Thailand, I was able to work with Thai actors and actresses. And we were able to film the movie in Bangkok for three months.
"With that, we also welcome the possibility of doing the same thing in the Philippines.
"For now, I will also have to study more about the Philippine movie scene and also the actors and actresses here."
Woo-Jung shared the same sentiment.
She said, "It's also my first time visiting the Philippines, as well. And for now, I'm the type who prefers to work alone, so I haven't met anyone to do collaborations yet.
"But if ever there's an opportunity, why not?"
Woo-Jung also promised to research more about Philippine movies once she gets back to South Korea.
She said, "And because I have already visited the Philippines and experienced how friendly the people here are, once I get back to Korea, I will study Philippine movies and get to know also, some actors and actresses."
NOW SHOWING
Aside from Deliver Us From Evil and Snowball, five other South Korean movies can also be watched during the festival which will end this Sunday, August 14, 2022. Below are the movies you can watch:
- Escape From Mogadishu (2021) Dir. Ryu Seung-wan
- The Novelist’s Film (2022) Dir. Hong Sang-soo
- The Day I Died: Unclosed Case (2020) Dir. Park Ji-wan
- Miracle: Letters to the President (2021) Dir. Lee Jang-hoon
- Perhaps Love (2021) Dir. Jo Eun-ji
Here's how you can watch the movies for free:
All seven movies will be screen in select SM Cinemas, which includes SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM Grand Central in Caloocan, SM North EDSA in Quezon City, SM Southmall in Las Pinas City.